Hoax bomb threats grounded, diverted and searched at least four passenger flights across Europe on Tuesday, including a Ryanair jet from Manchester, as a three-day wave of scares spread across the continent.
In Spain, airport operator Aena activated an emergency protocol at Murcia after a threat was made against Ryanair’s flight from Manchester. Parts of the airport were cordoned off while the plane was searched. Nothing was found.
Warsaw airport shut
Two threats targeted flights into Warsaw. An SAS flight from Copenhagen landed at the city’s main Chopin airport, where a runway was closed while it was checked. A LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 737 MAX from London Heathrow was diverted to Warsaw’s second airport, Modlin, which was closed altogether until the aircraft was cleared.
A Wizz Air flight from Bergamo in Italy was also inspected after landing in the Bulgarian capital Sofia.
Fighter jets scrambled
On Monday, fighter jets were scrambled when a Wizz Air flight from Luton to Sofia was diverted to Budapest after a bomb threat, and on Sunday an Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna was rerouted to Bulgaria. In one case an aircraft was escorted by the Italian Air Force until it landed.
All of the planes landed safely and no explosives were found on any of them. Authorities have not said who is behind the threats or whether they are linked.
Irish passengers flying to Spain and Poland this week are advised to allow extra time and check with their airline before travelling.
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